Chapter 3 Section 2 The Rulers of Egypt

I. Egyptian Kingship Egypt had 31 dynasties from about 3100 BC to 332 BC A dynasty is a series of rulers from the same family or ethnic group The title used by those kings was Pharaoh The first dynasty began when Menes united Upper and Lower Egypt 1. built the capital city of Memphis near the Nile 2. Wore a double crown to signify unification of Egypt 3. Beginning of one of the most stable civilizations in history

The throne passed on to eldest son of Principal Queen who was usual the eldest daughter of the previous king therefore the king’s sister

E. Pharaoh had absolute power 1. whatever they decided became law 2 E. Pharaoh had absolute power 1. whatever they decided became law 2. they were religious leaders 3. considered to be gods (earthly embodiment of Horus) 4. People followed their orders because they believed they were from god 5. Pharaoh owned everything

II. Three kingdoms Historians group Egypt’s dynasties into 3 major time periods Old Kingdom-noted for its well run system of government a. began when Menes united Egypt b. kept peace and traded with Nubia. Very few wars c. Egypt’s unity crumbled and the dynasties grew weak by the end of the Old Kingdom

2. Middle Kingdom –began when Egypt was reunited a 2. Middle Kingdom –began when Egypt was reunited a. Pharaohs used Egypt’s money on public works and trade instead of on wars or defense b. weak rulers allowed control of Egypt to be taken by a group of foreigners called the Hyksos who ruled for 100 years

3. New kingdom-built large armies to keep out invaders a 3. New kingdom-built large armies to keep out invaders a. began in 1567 BC –Ahmose led Egyptians to defeat the Hyksos b. created armies of foot soldiers , mounted warriors and charioteers

III Rulers of the New kingdom A. King Tutankhamen-became ruler of Egypt as a child (age 8) and ruled until age 18 when he died. (tomb shows wealth of Egypt) B. Hatshepsut-ruled for 15 years a. originally ruled as regent for her stepson-would not give up power when he was old enough to rule b. time of peace and economic success c. encouraged trade with faraway places most famous was a year long trip to Punt

King Tut Akhenaten

Hatshepsut Thutmose III

C. Thutmose III a. inherited throne 1479 BC, but was unable to rule until after stepmother’s death b. led armies to conquer more land c. treated those he conquered with mercy Cleopatra VII a. 51 BC- she was the last Macedonian to rule Egypt b. became part of the Roman Empire in 31 BC c. Egypt would not rule itself again for almost 2,000 years

Cleopatra VII